Charity to tackle Saudi Aids stigma in landmark move

Riyadh: The first charitable society in Saudi Arabia to take care of Aids patients is to be set up in Jeddah.

Among the objectives of the society is to "encourage male and female Aids patients to tie the knot ... keeping youngsters from deviant behaviour, protect society from Aids and increase awareness about the condition," announced the official Saudi news agency yesterday.

Meanwhile, according to human rights activists, a draft bill on Aids patients has been sent to concerned authorities for endorsement. The number of Aids patients in Saudi Arabia in 2006 is estimated to be about 5,000.

The society, approved by the Saudi Minister Abdul Mohsen Al Akkas, will also identify age groups most vulnerable to Aids. The society will implement preventive programmes in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and religious authorities.

The society will work with other agencies to identify the "appropriate means of employing Aids patients in jobs." It will also help patients to get vocational and technical training and set up projects for patients and their families.

Dr Khalid Al Zahrani, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Preventive Medicine, welcomed the establishment of the charitable society, reported the Saudi official media. He stated that the ministry would provide assistance to the new society.

Saeed Al Ghamedi, director general of a branch of the Ministry of Social Affairs in Makkah region, said the society was established by specialists and people dealing with Aids patients.